Lester Maddox's "Pickrick Drumstick" Axe Handle, 1965

Title: Lester Maddox's "Pickrick Drumstick" Axe Handle, 1965

ID: 03/BAF AR_00022

Creator: Lester Maddox

Extent: 1.0 Boxes

Languages: English [eng]

Lester Maddox was a Georgian who owned a restraunt in Atlanta known as the Pickrick. As a staunch segregationist he was against the 1954 Brown V. Board of Education, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Maddox actually filed a lawsuit to conintue his segregationist policies.

In April of 1964, some african american student demonstrators attempted to stage a sit-in, however before they could arrive Maddox confronted the group with a bare axe handle. Maddox along with some employees and customers pulled the handles from the nail kegs on each side of the resturant fireplace. These handles came to be known as the Pickrick Drumsticks. Due to this response Maddox was heralded as a political figure defending "private property rights" and segregation.

Maddox closed the restaurant rather than serve african american customers. When he attempted to re-open the restaurant and tried to only serve "acceptable" customers he was taken to court and was held in contmept. Maddox used his actions as a launchboard for his political ambitions and became the 75th Governor of Georgia from 1967-71.

Access Restrictions: There are no access restrictions on this material.

Use Restrictions: (c) 2011 The Black Archives, History and Research Foundation, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.  Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the Director of The Black Archives, History and Research Foundation, Inc.  An image license agreement must be signed prior to recording or copying images.